Eden Family Institute Counseling Professionals

Sandra Borden, MSW Master Social Worker Areas of Interest: Addictions, Co-Dependency, Adult Children of Alcoholics, Depression, Sexual Abuse and Trauma Recovery, Crisis Intervention, Loss and Grief, Life Transitions, Anger Management, PTSD, Bi-Polar Disorder, Women’s Issues Sandra has had 12 years specialized experience working with individuals and families who have been affected by addictions. She also has advanced training in women’s issues, domestic violence, PTSD and Bi-Polar Disorder. Sandra is committed to incorporating the foundational beliefs of her Christian faith with professional excellence. In addition to individual, family and group counseling, Sandra speaks and leads training in addiction recovery. Sandra graduated from College of New Rochelle, magna cum laude, with her BSW in 1994 and from Fordham University with her MSW in 1996. She worked for 10 years for Lexington Center for Recovery. Sandra is on staff at Eden Family Institute Residency Program working towards her LCSW in the Commonwealth of Virginia.

Lacy Biddle Master Social Worker Areas of Interest:  Life Transitions, Women’s Issues, Adjusting to Military Deployment Lacy is graduating in May of 2008 with her Master’s degree in Social Work. She received her undergraduate degree in Human Services Counseling from Old Dominion University in 1995. She has been married for 25 years and has 3 boys. Life has provided Lacy with many opportunities for spiritual growth and a deeper insight.   One son was diagnosed with cancer at age 6 and has now been in remission for 6 years.  Her husband served two 12-month deployments in 3 years while her son is currently on a 15-month deployment to Iraq.   Lacy has learned to adapt to the various phases of military life from predeployment to homecoming and redeployments. Lacy uses a variety of researched, effective, treatment approaches such as Cognitive Behavioral, Solutions focused and Dialectical Behavior Therapy in her therapeutic interventions.  Lacy lead’s military support groups for people who have deployed family members. The topics addressed in the support groups are:  dealing with loneliness, stress, finances, community resources, parenting alone and children’s emotions.

Carmen Camelon Resident Areas of Interest: Substance Abuse, Women Issues Carmen is Resident with Eden Family Institute and provides general counseling. Carmen works full time with Portsmouth Behavioral Healthcare Substance Abuse Outpatient Treatment Services as a substance abuse therapist. She is a Licensed Independent Substance Abuse Counselor- Arizona. She is presently part of teams developing a Women's Day Treatment Program and a Co-Occurring Treatment Program for the city.

Deborah E. Gorton, M.A. Doctor of Psychology Candidate, 2008, Fuller Theological Seminary Areas of Interest: Neuropsychology (pediatric), Adoption/Foster Care Issues, Learning Disorders, ADHD, Adolescent Issues Deborah has a passion for working with adoptees which comes from a personal background as an adopted child with two adopted siblings, one from an international setting.  She loves working with children and especially enjoys working with adolescents. Deborah has received training in Dialectal Behavior Therapy (DBT) and is assisting in leading groups for adolescents and adults.

Christie Moler, M.A. Pre-Doctoral Intern, Director of Testing Administration Areas of Interest: Therapeutic Wilderness Camps, AD/HD Treatment, Forgiveness, and Depression Christie obtained a Master's degree from Regent University in Clinical Psychology in May of 2004. She will complete a doctorate degree from Regent University in May 2007. Christie is currently working on a dissertation entitled, "The Effects of Adventure Therapy on Forgiveness in Women." She came to work at Eden Family Institute as a practica student and was subsequently hired as a psychomatrician. She was then promoted to Director of Testing Administration and has become a Doctoral Intern.

Brooke L. V. Merino, B.A. Doctoral Student, Clinical Psychology, Regent University Areas of Interest: Stress Management, Substance Abuse, Anxiety Issues Brooke enjoys working with adults and adolescents dealing with significant life issues.  Her therapeutic orientation and passion for progress provides hope and allows for flexibility in helping a variety of clients.  Throughout her professional endeavor she has co-led a women's trauma group and DBT groups, worked with adults that have experienced childhood trauma, provided therapy for victims of traumatic brain injury, and has become proficient in psychological testing. Brooke earned a B.S. degree in Psychology from Oral Roberts University, and will earn her M.A. degree in Clinical Psychology from Regent University in the spring of 2008.  She will also receive a Doctorate of  Psychology in Clinical Psychology from Regent University in May 2010.

Carletta N. Perry, A.A.S., B.A., M.A. Doctor of Psychology Candidate, 2008, Regent University Areas of Interest: Marriage, Relationship Issues, African-American Issues, Depression, Anxiety, Adjustment Issues, Educational/Psychological Testing, and Church Collaboration. Carletta N. Perry is currently completing her Doctor of Psychology in Clinical Psychology at Regent University. She currently holds several titles including Paralegal, Notary Public, Licensed Teacher, Adjunct Instructor, Workshop Presenter, and Clinical Psychology Doctoral Candidate. Carletta’s passion for helping individuals to have healthy relationships stems from her work in family law as a Paralegal. She was able to see the pain that divorce causes which created a desire to help marriages and families stay together. Carletta is a trained marriage education instructor for the “Prevention and Relationship Enhancement Program,” the “PREPARE/ENRICH” program, “Pick A Partner” program, and the “Basic Training for Couples” program.

Amaya Rucker, M.A. Doctor of Psychology Candidate, 2008, Regent University Areas of Interest: Parenting issues, African American issues, Marital Therapy and Enrichment, Family Therapy, Trauma, Stress Management and ADHD. Amaya's pursuit of professional excellence is reflected in her work with individuals, families, couples, and groups. She has developed groups, workshops and programs for use in private practice as well as in the church setting. Amaya’s interests include: educational testing, psychological assessment, consultation, church collaboration, program development and speaking engagements. Amaya enjoys working with families, couples, children, adolescents as well as adults. Amaya earned a B.A. degree in Psychology with a Family Issues Minor from James Madison University, an M.A. degree in Guidance Counseling (K-12) from Hampton University and an M.A. degree in Clinical Psychology from Regent University and will receive a Doctor of Clinical Psychology Degree from Regent University in May 2008. Amaya has developed these workshops and programs: Healthy Parenting Workshop; a parent training program entitled, Developing Precious Jewels: A Program for Mothers of Daughters; Oasis: A Stress Reduction Program for Parents and Care-givers of Children with ADHD; A Diamond in the Rough:  A Marriage Seminar for Single Women who are preparing for marriage; Prepared Parenting: A Program for Teenage Mothers.

Erica Skidmore, M.A. Pre-Doctoral Intern Areas of Interest: Children with developmental disabilities (Autism, Asperger’s, etc.) Dr. Skidmore’s passion for helping people began when she was a two-year-old placing Band-Aids on all of her dolls’ “wounds.” As she grew older, she discovered her calling for helping people heal their emotional and spiritual wounds. Dr. Skidmore enjoys working with a variety of clients, although, her primary interests are in working with children on the Autism Spectrum and adults involved in Dialectical Behavior Therapy. Dr. Skidmore practices Floortime™ when working with children on the Autism Spectrum and their families. This relationship-based intervention was developed out of Dr. Stanley Greenspan’s DIR® model. Dr. Skidmore was initially trained in Floortime in California in 2004. Since that time, she has attended two workshops led by Dr. Greenspan, and she hopes to continue with more intensive training in 2008. She has used Floortime with many children both in the home and in classroom settings. Dr. Skidmore has also co-facilitated social skills groups for children on the Spectrum as well as co-facilitated parent groups aimed at teaching parents the basics of Floortime. Dr. Skidmore co-leads 3 Dialectical Behavior Therapy groups at Eden. She recently helped develop a DBT group for children with behavior and/or social problems stemming from an inability to regulate their emotions or tolerate distressing situations. Dr. Skidmore is currently a Resident in Psychology. She received her doctorate in 2007 from The Graduate School of Psychology at Fuller Theological Seminary in Pasadena, CA. While at Fuller, Dr. Skidmore also studied theology and continues to explore ways of integrating psychology and Christianity in her practice.